Schedule of penalties | Overloads when driving the trailer
Loading the trailer properly is not that easy. There are a number of things to pay attention to, for example the correct distribution of the load and securing play a major role. Above all, the weight of the load is important, it not only has to be distributed correctly to enable the trailer to travel as smoothly as possible. The permissible total weight of the car/trailer combination must not be exceeded, which of course is also influenced by the payload. The permissible total weight of the train results from the permissible trailer load, the permissible total weight of the vehicle and the unladen weight of the towing vehicle and must not exceed the values in the vehicle registration document.
Overloading the trailer
While overloading cars (PGM up to 7.5 tons) or trailers (CGM up to 2 tons) of over 5% only results in a fine of € 10, with 30% overloading it is already € 235 and one point on one’s driver’s licence. If you are traveling with a truck and trailer, the penalties are higher. In any case, fines and, if necessary, points are also due for the vehicle owner. So if you borrow a car/trailer combination and are caught with an overload, the owner of the combination will also be asked to checkout. The penalties for the keeper are higher, so if the overload is more than 5%, the keeper must already pay € 140 and expect a point.
You must also always pay attention to the vertical load when loading. The vertical load is defined as the load that the trailer coupling is subjected to from above. The vertical load is specified for both your vehicle and the towbar. It is often the case that the two values are different. In this case, the lower value applies and must be observed. If the permissible drawbar load is exceeded, a fine of € 25 must be payed if it is exceeded by up to 50%. If more than 50 % are exceeded, € 60 are due, in addition you have to count on a point on your licence. This offense also has an impact on the vehicle owner.
Below you will find the differentiation for fines and penalties that may arise when overloading your car/trailer combination.
Overloading cars / trucks (PGI up to 7.5 tons) or trailers (PGI up to 2 tons)
- by over 5%: € 10
- by over 10%: € 30
- by over 15%: € 35
- by over 20%: € 95, 1 point
- by over 25%: 140 €, 1 point
- by over 30%: € 235, 1 point
Overloading trucks or trailers (ZGG over 2 tons)
- by 2-5%: € 30
- by over 5%: € 80, 1 point
- by over 10%: 110 €, 1 point
- by over 15%: 140 €, 1 point
- by over 20%: € 190, 1 point
- by over 25%: € 285, 1 point
- by over 30%: € 380, 1 point
Vehicle owner: Overloading trucks or trailers (zGG over 2 tons)
- by 2-5%: € 35
- by over 5%: 140 €, 1 point
- by over 10%: € 235, 1 point
- by over 15%: € 285, 1 point
- by over 20%: € 389, 1 point
- by over 25%: € 425, 1 point
- by over 30%: € 425, 1 point
Drawbar load exceeded
- by up to 50%: € 25
- by more than 50%: € 60, 1 point
- Permissible drawbar load not indicated by sign: € 5
You can find more information on the website of the German schedule of penalties.
